Distylium plant named ‘BLDY02’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Distylium  plant named ‘BLDY02’ is disclosed, characterized by unique bronze new foliage. Foliage is dark green and glossy at maturity. Plant habit is attractive with upright branches forming a dense mound. The new cultivar is a  Distylium , suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: Distylium hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘BLDY02’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program by theinventor. This new variety, hereinafter referred to as ‘BLDY02’, wasfound as the result of an open pollination conducted during 2007 whichincluded a group of unnamed, unpatented Distylium hybrida plants asparents. The inventor discovered the unique seedling in Independence,La., at a research nursery during Spring of 2012.

After identifying the new variety as a potentially interestingselection, the inventor first organized propagation of ‘BLDY02’ bysemi-hardwood cuttings during the Summer of 2015 at a nursery in Loxley,Ala. The inventor continued confidential, controlled testing andpropagation, assessing stability of the unique characteristics of thisvariety. Multiple generations have been reproduced and have shown thatthe unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true totype.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘BLDY02’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘BLDY02’ These characteristics in combinationdistinguish ‘BLDY02’ as a new and distinct Distylium cultivar:

-   -   1. Moderate to fast growth.    -   2. Bronze new foliage.    -   3. Shiny dark green mature foliage.    -   4. Attractive plant shape formed by upright growth developing        into a mounding plant.    -   5. Dense, compact growth.

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY

The parent varieties are unidentified.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘BLDY02’ can be compared to the commercial variety Distylium myricoidesx racemosum ‘Vintage Jade’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,128. Plants of thenew cultivar ‘BLDY02’ are similar to plants of ‘Vintage Jade’ in mosthorticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar‘BLDY02’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. ‘BLDY02’ is a more compact plant than ‘Vintage Jade’.    -   2. ‘BLDY02’ produces smaller foliage.    -   3. ‘BLDY02’ produces bronze new growth not seen on ‘Vintage        Jade’.

‘BLDY02’ can be compared to the commercial variety Distylium hybrida‘BLDY01’, filed concurrently and having U.S. Plant application Ser. No.16/602,971. Plants of the new cultivar ‘BLDY02’ are similar to plants of‘BLDY01’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of thenew cultivar ‘BLDY02’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. ‘BLDY02’ grows approximately 30 cm shorter at maturity than        ‘BLDY01’.    -   2. ‘BLDY02’ produces bronze new growth not seen on ‘BLDY01’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a plantof ‘BLDY02’ grown outdoors in Alabama.

FIG. 2 shows a close up of typical foliage of the new variety. The plantis approximately 2 years old, and is shown in a three-gallon container.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘BLDY02’ plants grown outdoors in Loxley,Alabama. Plants are approximately 2 years old, in a 2 gallon nurserycontainer. Measurements and numerical values represent averages oftypical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Distylium hybrida ‘BLDY02’.

PROPAGATION

-   Typically by semi-hardwood stein cuttings.-   Root description: Woody to semi-woody. Colored near RHS Brown 200D.-   Time to initiate roots: About 4 to 7 weeks at about 27 to 30° C.-   Time to produce a rooted young plant: Approximately 9 to 12 weeks in    the Summer.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Flattened, broad globular, evergreen shrub.-   Height: Approximately 60 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 70 cm.-   Branching characteristics: Well branched, approximately 8 lateral    branches emerge from a pinch. Smaller lateral branches occurring    along main stems. Branches occur at approximately 15° to 75° angles.-   Primary branches:-   Length of primary branches: Average 10 to 20 cm.-   Diameter of primary branches: Average range 4 to 9 mm.-   Primary branch strength: Moderately strong.-   Primary branch color: Near RHS Grey-Brown 199A.-   Primary branch texture: Rough, nearly scaly.-   Lateral branches:    -   -   Color.—New growth near RHS Greyed-Red 180C. Mature growth            near Grey-Brown 199D, flushed 179C.        -   Length.—Average range 10 to 35 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 4 mm.        -   Aspect.—Slightly curved.        -   Texture.—Immature slightly pubescent, mature rough, somewhat            scabrous.        -   Strength.—Moderately strong, flexible.        -   Internode.—Average range 1.2 cm to 2.3 cm.-   Age of plant described: Approximately 2 years.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Type.—Simple.        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Average length.—Approximately 4 to 6 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 1.5 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Narrow elliptic.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Attenuate.        -   Attachment.—Sessile.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Internode.—Average 0.5 cm.        -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.        -   Appearance of top surface.—Glossy.        -   Appearance of bottom surface.—Matte.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Red 178C            flushed 181A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Greyed-Red            178C, apex 178A. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green            139A overlaid with 141A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS            Green 137B.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 144C. Venation color under side: Near RHS            Yellow-Green N144D.

FLOWER

-   Not observed to date.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Not observed to date.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease and pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility    to normal diseases and pests observed.-   Temperature tolerance: USDA Zone 7 to 9.-   Fruit/seed production: Not observed to date.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Distylium plantnamed ‘BLDY02’ as herein illustrated and described.